The FOB Rules

[dbsb3233]

When I was using PaaK every day, I only unlocked my phone when I couldn't open the door. Most of the time PaaK worked well enough that I could open the door, even if it took a few presses of the door button.

My main problem was PaaK once I got inside the car. It usually worked if I placed it on the magic charging pad, but not always. Now I am a Fob man again so everything works all time time. Without fail. Like it should be.

I've been a fob man since day 3. The shortcomings of relying on the phone to open and drive the car were apparent early on. Sounded like a cool idea in theory (who doesn't like cool new things?), but I want more dependability in my car than I have in my cell phone's bluetooth connection.

I just wish the fob was smaller/slimmer. Anyone have any luck finding a mini fob that's compatible with this car?

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[dbsb3233]

My driver side won’t open even with the fob in my pocket. Any other door opens. So sad.

Have you tried turning your body a little? I know this sounds silly, but it appears the body can block the fob signal. I keep the fob in my right pants pocket. If I'm standing at the driver door (or especially the left-rear door) at an angle where the signal has to go directly through my body from hip-to-hip to get to the antenna in the front of the driver door, it sometimes blocks it. When that happens I just rotate a little, and it works.

That's never been a problem on my Escape, but at least it's an easy workaround.

 

[SnBGC]

I didn't know phone had to be unlocked for PAAK to work. doesn't it work like the fob, where proximity is enough to unlock?

It is a recommendation from Ford.
Might work like a fob sometimes while other times it won't. According to the tips published by Ford, they suggest you pull out the phone as you approach the car and hold it in your hand. Then turn on FordPass. In order to do that, I have to unlock my phone.

That being said...
I have observed PaaK work just like a fob at times. Meaning, I approached the car with the phone in my pocket and was granted access inside and it started. Those instances are rare though. Most times I would have to press the button a few times and if that didn't work then I had to whip put my phone and unlock it etc etc.

So I would say that PaaK CAN work just like a fob at times but not as consistently or effortless everytime.

 

[ThomF]

I just wish the fob was smaller/slimmer. Anyone have any luck finding a mini fob that's compatible with this car?

Someone has posted a 3D printed FOB for the Mach-e and posted the design on Thingiverse. I haven't tried it, so I pass it along without a recommendation. It's available here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4958307

Apparently, you remove the electronics from your regular FOB and insert it into this 3D body. Designer claims it's shorter and about 40 percent thinner. It doesn't look particularly fancy, however.

As an aside, I find it humorous that Ford's Mach-e FOB includes a blank non-functional key. What's with that?!

 

[skiingj]

Someone has posted a 3D printed FOB for the Mach-e and posted the design on Thingiverse. I haven't tried it, so I pass it along without a recommendation. It's available here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4958307

Apparently, you remove the electronics from your regular FOB and insert it into this 3D body. Designer claims it's shorter and about 40 percent thinner. It doesn't look particularly fancy, however.

As an aside, I find it humorous that Ford's Mach-e FOB includes a blank non-functional key. What's with that?!

Thanks for the info. Would love to hear if anyone has one. I'm about to go back to the fob again...

 

[SnBGC]

Someone has posted a 3D printed FOB for the Mach-e and posted the design on Thingiverse. I haven't tried it, so I pass it along without a recommendation. It's available here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4958307

Apparently, you remove the electronics from your regular FOB and insert it into this 3D body. Designer claims it's shorter and about 40 percent thinner. It doesn't look particularly fancy, however.

As an aside, I find it humorous that Ford's Mach-e FOB includes a blank non-functional key. What's with that?!

Awesome!
My nephew received a 3D printer for X-mas. I'll ask him to give this a try.

 

[Jimmy2]

FOB, don't leave home without it.

 

[dbsb3233]

Someone has posted a 3D printed FOB for the Mach-e and posted the design on Thingiverse. I haven't tried it, so I pass it along without a recommendation. It's available here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4958307

Apparently, you remove the electronics from your regular FOB and insert it into this 3D body. Designer claims it's shorter and about 40 percent thinner. It doesn't look particularly fancy, however.

As an aside, I find it humorous that Ford's Mach-e FOB includes a blank non-functional key. What's with that?!

Thanks. No 3D printer though. I have cracked the fobs open already. I ground down the panic button contact to disable it. I hate those things.

I wouldn't even really care much if it had no buttons, I just want it for proximity authorization. Seems like they could make something about the size of a quarter for that.

 

[mkhuffman]

I wouldn't even really care much if it had no buttons, I just want it for proximity authorization. Seems like they could make something about the size of a quarter for that.

Have you seen the Lucid Air Fob? It is tiny, and has one button. They also have a credit card sized card that can be used as a key.

 

[Thunderbirdsoundsbetter]

Have you tried turning your body a little? I know this sounds silly, but it appears the body can block the fob signal. I keep the fob in my right pants pocket. If I'm standing at the driver door (or especially the left-rear door) at an angle where the signal has to go directly through my body from hip-to-hip to get to the antenna in the front of the driver door, it sometimes blocks it. When that happens I just rotate a little, and it works.

That's never been a problem on my Escape, but at least it's an easy workaround.

I tried with the fob in my hand in front of the service advisor. He just loled. (they dont have an answer as there are no codes)

 

[SnBGC]

I tried with the fob in my hand in front of the service advisor. He just loled. (they dont have an answer as there are no codes)

I can almost guarantee there are codes. Did they scan the vehicle? These cars throw all kinds of codes even when working normally and yet no light on the dash. Happy side effect due to skirting the emissions requirements.

 

[Thunderbirdsoundsbetter]

I can almost guarantee there are codes. Did they scan the vehicle? These cars throw all kinds of codes even when working normally and yet no light on the dash. Happy side effect due to skirting the emissions requirements.

Yes they scanned it. They didn’t say what’s causing it as they don’t know. This was during my 20k service a month ago. Still didn’t get fixed lol.

 

[SnBGC]

Yes they scanned it. They didn’t say what’s causing it as they don’t know. This was during my 20k service a month ago. Still didn’t get fixed lol.

PM your VIN and I will look and see what they saw. Might find a clue in there somewhere....

 

[Tampamike]

I am of a similarly particular generation, but have gotten rid of all my other keys. The Mustang key is far bulkier and heavier than it needs to be. It would be nice to be able to leave it at home.

Me too. I’m a living cliché. Moved from NY to Florida because the wife doesn’t like the cold. Put combo locks on the doors to our new townhouse. Bought an electric car with PAAK. Don’t carry keys anymore at all. My wife keeps the Fob in her bag. It’s been almost a year with no car key. I haven’t got stuck yet.

 

[gpgrim]

Feel you with Paak, it doesn't work well for so many people. Paak had another melt down for me today. Came back to the car after a visit to a office. MME opened but would not start, no backup code, alarm ended up going off. Ten embarrassing minutes later I was able to get the backup code screen. S21 Ultra 12. Happened all the time when I was on 11 as well. Going back to the fob if this continues.

Rub in the two fobs. lol I'm one of the early adopters Ford has screwed.

LoL, even with the fob there's no guarantee the alarm won't go off. Forgot something in the house and walked away with my daughter sitting in the backseat. After a few min. her motion in the car set off the alarm system and scared the bejeezus out of her. Thankfully, the key fob does resolve this quickly.

Though not a complaint about PaaK, but a reality for some of us, I leave my phone in my car while at work. I'm sure there's a way of using the pillar key pad, but I've had this feature on my Exp since '03 and almost never used it except for the novelty of it. Fob in pocket is just so much easier, though I can see this being a great feature for folks who are not wanting to carry the fob, or can't due to being in water or such.

Seems like a no brainer to give folks both options.

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